Silverberg: A hot gift that helps

Kathy Silverberg

Published: Friday, November 30, 2012 at 1:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 7:42 p.m.

The frenzy has begun, and it's not yet December.

There may be more shopping days -- in reality, what is not a shopping day? -- between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, but that does not lessen the pressure to find just the right gift for everyone on the list.

For those who observe Hanukkah, the time frame is much tighter this year. The eight-night observance begins on Dec. 8. And those who plan ahead might like to know that next year Hanukkah begins on Nov. 27. How's that for pressure?

The American Research Group has estimated that Americans will spend, on average, about $850 on Christmas gifts this year, a whopping 32 percent increase over last year. Telephone polling of 1,100 households, conducted Nov. 11-14, indicated more people, nearly 45 percent, will shop online than ever before and they will spend an average of $1,245, a significant increase over the 2011 total of $714.

So what are the hot gifts for this year? How about a credit-card-sized lost key locator. Just put your keys on the special key chain and the card in your wallet. Then when you can't find your car keys, push a button on the card and the key chain will whistle. Works great unless your car has keyless entry and then you just have to remember the code.

Maybe the video pen, which records what you write and can play it back on your computer or smartphone using video and sound, would be a good choice for the gadget fan. For the world traveler, how about a scratch-off map of the world that provides a visual reminder of past destinations?

Doting grandparents might like to have a likeness of their special children transformed into a stuffed toy, or for that matter, the other way around. Just upload a digital photo to the website and for a mere $99 the company I Am A Stuffed Animal will transform your likeness into a unique keepsake. Even pets can be immortalized in this way.

Truth is, that perfect gift may be an illusion. Most of us, especially as we get older, have entirely too much stuff already. The thought of having to find a place for one more ceramic figurine, one more set of coasters or another decorative throw pillow could cause the early onset of holiday depression.

It is also true that some among us have considerable unmet needs, and not just at holiday time. They could use a new pair of socks, a hot meal or help paying the utility bill. It seems ironic to consider the effort that goes into all the shopping and wrapping and sending of gifts to people who certainly don't need them, and likely don't even want them, when that spending could make such a difference in the lives of those facing serious financial challenges.

There is a way to address both these dilemmas at one time. How about making a charitable donation in honor of those on your gift list this year? It might be appropriate to choose a cause that is dear to the heart of the recipient or one that is making a difference in that person's community. A partnership between the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Manatee Community Foundation has implemented a convenient online tool to help in making decisions about what charities to choose. It is called the Giving Partner and includes important information on charities in the area.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County also offers a program called Giving Spirit Cards that works like a gift card. But instead of allowing the recipient to make a purchase, it affords the opportunity to choose a charity to receive a stipulated donation. That way, the giver doesn't have to make a decision on which charity to choose but rather gives the recipient that pleasure. For the shopping-challenged among us, this sounds like a perfect solution.

Besides, isn't the holiday all about giving? Wouldn't it be perfect to share the fun of giving with those you care enough to remember at this time of year?

If I owned a small business that depended on holiday spending I might not like this idea so much. But in truth, there will always be those for whom we want to purchase a special gift, and that is as it should be. Everyone wants to play the role of Santa, especially when children are involved.

Yet it is also true that many generous people make charitable gifts at this time of year. It just makes good sense to connect those on your gift list with a deserving charity as well as people who need it most.

Kathy Silverberg is the former publisher of the Herald-Tribune's southern editions. Email: kathy.silverberg@comcast.net.

<p>The frenzy has begun, and it's not yet December.</p><p>There may be more shopping days -- in reality, what is not a shopping day? -- between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, but that does not lessen the pressure to find just the right gift for everyone on the list.</p><p>For those who observe Hanukkah, the time frame is much tighter this year. The eight-night observance begins on Dec. 8. And those who plan ahead might like to know that next year Hanukkah begins on Nov. 27. How's that for pressure?</p><p>The American Research Group has estimated that Americans will spend, on average, about $850 on Christmas gifts this year, a whopping 32 percent increase over last year. Telephone polling of 1,100 households, conducted Nov. 11-14, indicated more people, nearly 45 percent, will shop online than ever before and they will spend an average of $1,245, a significant increase over the 2011 total of $714.</p><p>So what are the hot gifts for this year? How about a credit-card-sized lost key locator. Just put your keys on the special key chain and the card in your wallet. Then when you can't find your car keys, push a button on the card and the key chain will whistle. Works great unless your car has keyless entry and then you just have to remember the code.</p><p>Maybe the video pen, which records what you write and can play it back on your computer or smartphone using video and sound, would be a good choice for the gadget fan. For the world traveler, how about a scratch-off map of the world that provides a visual reminder of past destinations?</p><p>Doting grandparents might like to have a likeness of their special children transformed into a stuffed toy, or for that matter, the other way around. Just upload a digital photo to the website and for a mere $99 the company I Am A Stuffed Animal will transform your likeness into a unique keepsake. Even pets can be immortalized in this way.</p><p>Truth is, that perfect gift may be an illusion. Most of us, especially as we get older, have entirely too much stuff already. The thought of having to find a place for one more ceramic figurine, one more set of coasters or another decorative throw pillow could cause the early onset of holiday depression.</p><p>It is also true that some among us have considerable unmet needs, and not just at holiday time. They could use a new pair of socks, a hot meal or help paying the utility bill. It seems ironic to consider the effort that goes into all the shopping and wrapping and sending of gifts to people who certainly don't need them, and likely don't even want them, when that spending could make such a difference in the lives of those facing serious financial challenges.</p><p>There is a way to address both these dilemmas at one time. How about making a charitable donation in honor of those on your gift list this year? It might be appropriate to choose a cause that is dear to the heart of the recipient or one that is making a difference in that person's community. A partnership between the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Manatee Community Foundation has implemented a convenient online tool to help in making decisions about what charities to choose. It is called the Giving Partner and includes important information on charities in the area.</p><p>The Community Foundation of Sarasota County also offers a program called Giving Spirit Cards that works like a gift card. But instead of allowing the recipient to make a purchase, it affords the opportunity to choose a charity to receive a stipulated donation. That way, the giver doesn't have to make a decision on which charity to choose but rather gives the recipient that pleasure. For the shopping-challenged among us, this sounds like a perfect solution.</p><p>Besides, isn't the holiday all about giving? Wouldn't it be perfect to share the fun of giving with those you care enough to remember at this time of year?</p><p>If I owned a small business that depended on holiday spending I might not like this idea so much. But in truth, there will always be those for whom we want to purchase a special gift, and that is as it should be. Everyone wants to play the role of Santa, especially when children are involved.</p><p>Yet it is also true that many generous people make charitable gifts at this time of year. It just makes good sense to connect those on your gift list with a deserving charity as well as people who need it most.</p><p>Kathy Silverberg is the former publisher of the Herald-Tribune's southern editions. Email: kathy.silverberg@comcast.net.</p>